nsaward:
This is usually a different direction than I allow things to go on a first date.
Grant shook his head, waiting for Bobbi to open one of the rear doors of the SUV. He didnât like that they were going to have to do this in her vehicle, but there was no other way. It wasnât like Grant could easily load him into the Lotus. It didnât have the kind of security features - or extra bodies - that this SUV did.Â
âYeah, real sorry about that. My first dates donât generally have much in common with any of this, so weâre in the same boat, pal.â
Bobbi pulled the door open, and Grant manhandled Leo inside, climbing in beside him so he wouldnât have any thoughts about making a quick getaway while they werenât looking. Bobbi climbed back into the passengerâs seat ahead of Grant, and gave her guy directions to drive. Wherever they were taking Leo to be debriefed, it wasnât going to be a restaurant parking lot.
âWe havenât decided yet if weâre taking you away. I realize this isnât what you signed up for, but this is where Karaâs actions landed you.â Grant said, taking care to keep his voice level and neutral. At the same time, he was listening to Bobbiâs half of a phone conversation that sounded like it was with her superiors. âWe will need to work out and go from here. Whatever the best course of action is, Iâm sureââ
ââPull over.â
Grant immediately put his hand to his gun, hearing Bobbiâs words. Without a second thought, he reached out and grabbed Leo by the upper arm, shifting so that he would be able to either protect the asset, or get him out of there if the situation demanded it. Turning around in her seat, Bobbi saw that, and rolled her eyes.
âOur superiors - thatâs, the director of the CIA and General Hand of the NSA - have decided that, for now⌠Weâre going to let you stay here, Leo. Until weâve sorted out what can be done about the Intersect. Weâre going to take you home to Echo Park, but you canât let anyone know about this. Doing so what put you and your family in danger. You have to pretend like this wasâŚâ
âJust a normal first date.â Grant chimed in, and Bobbi nodded.
âThe CIA and NSA will be putting in⌠handlers for you. People to protect you, and you may need to be available at times, because the Intersect, for now, is you and you alone. You donât⌠Get to argue this. Itâs this orââ
ââA small cell with rubber walls.â Grant finished, understanding Bobbiâs pause about handlers. It was likely going to be the two of them. Carefully, he let go of Leoâs arm, looking him over.Â
âIf youâre going to freak out, do it now. Then get it under control, Fitz.â
Pal.Â
Leo had figured out pretty quickly that this was not a real date, and that Grant wanted nothing to do with him as a person, but it was still hard to reconcile this attitude with how the rest of the day had gone before it. Grant had been so sweet, and charming, and sexy, and Leo hated himself for still finding him attractive.
Not that he was particularly focused on that right now.Â
âHey -Â â Leo protested as the SUV pulled over, and Grant moved to grab his shoulder. It was a tight grip, and if it was even a little bit tighter, Leo thought he might lose circulation in his hand. Was that a move to make sure he didnât get away, or to protect Leo from a possible threat?
It didnât matter. Morse was telling Leo that they were taking him back to his home, and that was the important part.Â
âI canât tell anyone?â he asked, turning to meet Grantâs eyes. âJemma...Trip...I live with them. How am I supposed to keep it from them that - that something this insane is actually happening to me?â Leo already knew the answer. He had to just pretend as though everything was normal. There was no arguing with that. These people meant business, and had given Leo several reasons to believe it.Â
As much as this all felt like a bad dream, it was really, truly real.Â
Once Grant loosened his grip, Leo jerked away, shifting away from him in the seat. âIâm not going to freak out,â he snapped, looking away. âI just want to go home, all right? Can you please bring me home? Iâm sure youâll have to bother me again later but I just want to see my family.â













